Julia angus execu



' No 6|9,708. Patented Feb. 2|, I899.

C. J. AN Decd.

J. ANGU ecutrix.

MATTRESS FOR INVALIDS.

7 Application filed. Mar. 4, 1898.) (No Modal.)

W NESSES. JW y@ I i g f 1 NITED STATES PATENT O FICE.

CHARLES J. ANGUS, OF LITTLE FALLS, NEW YORK; JULIA ANGUS EXECU- TRIX OF SAID CHARLES J ANGUS, DECEASED.

MATTRESS FOR INVALIDS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 619,708, dated February 21, 1899.

Application filed M rch 4, 1898. Serial No. 672,484. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES J. ANGUS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Little Falls, in the county of Herkimer and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Mattresses for Invalids, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to mattresses for invalids; and it consists in certain new and useful features, with the view of furthering the comfort of the patient when using a'bedpan and to facilitate certain surgical operations, &c.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a mattress provided with my improvements. Fig. 2 is a partlysectional and partly-elevated side view of the invent-ion. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the bed-pan seated in the opening of the mattress. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail View of one of the shirred retaining-flanges in the opening.

Similar letters refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views.

A represents a mattress having a hole or aperture B extending vertically through it and preferably situated at one side thereof. Removably seated in said aperture is a cylindrical plug C, made of the same material as that of the mattress. This plug is adapted to occupy the entire space in the aperture when the bed-pan is not used, and thus permit the use of the mattress for ordinary purposes and eliminate the inconvenience such aperture in the mattress otherwise would cause.

In order to retain the plug in the aperture and prevent the formation of objectionable ridges around the plug when the patient rests on the same, the aperture is provided at its upper and lower ends with an inwardly-extending flange B, each of which is shirred at its inner edge and provided with an elastic cord B so as to permit of its being expanded when the plug is removed or introduced into the aperture.

The plug is provided at each end with a reduced portion C, which is adapted to receive .the flanges above referred to, thus rendering the surfaces adjacent to the plug perfectly smooth. The plug is further provided with a strap or handle C by which the plug is removed from the aperture.

D represents a bed-pan or vessel, cylindrical in shape and provided at its upper edge 5 5 with an outwardly-extending annular flange D, adapted to support the vessel when the same is seated in the aperture. This vessel is provided at its bottom with an opening D which communicates with a downwardly-pro- 6o jecting nipple D formed integral with the vessel. Engaging the said nipple is a rubber tube, adapted to conduct the discharges of the patient from the bed-pan to another larger vessel placed at the side or under the bed.

In using the bed-pan the plug is removed by simply pulling it out of the aperture by the strap or handle and the bed-pan placed in its stead in the aperture, pressing it down therein so as to bring the annular flange of the vessel in contact and flush with the surfaces surrounding the aperture. In this position the bed-pan will afford no obstructions and will permit the patient to use same without being raised or otherwise assisted as would be required when using a bed-pan on a mattress of ordinary construction. The bed-pan is removed by a reverse operation from that described in placing it and may be accomplished without disturbing the patient to any appreciable extent.

By having the vessel situated at one side of the mattress operations upon the patient are greatly facilitated. The patient is brought close to the attending physician and will not necessitate him bending over the bed,as would be required if the aperture and vessel were located in the center of the mattress.

Iam aware that many changes may be made in the construction of my improved mattress 0 without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and for that reason I do not desire to limit myself to the particular construction herein shown.

Having thus described my invention, what 5 I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a mattress for invalids, the combination with an aperture extending vertically through said mattress and situated at one roo side thereof, said aperture being provided at one of its ends with an inwardly-extending flange said flanges being shirred and provided at their inner edges with an endless rubber cord, a cylindrical plug removably seated in said aperture, said plug being provided at each end with a reduced portion, a strap or handle secured to one end of the plug, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

2. A mattress for invalids, provided with an aperture which extends vertically through it, the upper end of the aperture being provided with an inwardly-extending flange which is Shirred, and provided at its inner edge with an endless rubber cord, combined with a pan which is provided with a flange at its upper end and an opening through its lower one, and a tube connected with the opening, substantially as specified.

CHARLES J. ANGUS. Witnesses:

G. F. GIRVAN, C. J. LUNDSTROM. 

